University of Akron women’s soccer unveils seven-player signing class

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women’s soccer squad under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Noreen Herlihy, has announced a talented seven-member class for the early-signing period for the class of 2021.

Donning the Akron uniform for the 2021 campaign will be Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson), Quinn Casey (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty), Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio/Lake Catholic), Maci Lineman (Butler, Pa./Butler Area), Maya Oduyoye (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore), Morgan Shansky (Oakdale, Pa./West Alleghany) and Calli Swisher (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington).

“We look forward to having this incoming class join the Zips’ Women’s Soccer Program,” Herlihy commented. “They see the progress this program has been making and are eager to become a Zip and contribute to our exciting future. Each is committed to help us achieve our ambitions moving forward and we welcome them.”

A defender from Canal Fulton, Ohio, Bruni is a four-year letterwinner from Massillon Jackson High School. She garnered second-team All-State accolades as a senior en route to capping her prep career scoring 32 goals, while adding 22 assists. A team captain, she was tabbed as the Federal League and Stark County Player of the Year, as well as earning team Most Valubable Player honors. Twice was selected as a first-team All-Conference and All-Akron recipient. Additionally, she gained valuable playing experience with the Cleveland Internationals Soccer Club.

A midfielder from Powell, Ohio, Casey is a four-year letterwinner from Olentangy Liberty High School, where she has played nearly every minute the last three seasons and was named a second-team All-Conference selection as a junior and senior. Capped her prep career registering 15 goals and 10 assists, including eight goals and eight assists as a senior. Twice was named to the Olympic Development Program (ODP) regional pool and has gained valuable playing experience with Ohio Premier club team.

A midfielder from Concord, Ohio, Hadley is a four-year letterwinner from Lake Catholic High School, where she helped the Cougars advance to the final four as a freshman and sophomore, including a berth in the state title game in 2017. A four-year starter, Hadley was tabbed a second-team All-Ohio and first-team All-Cleveland and News Herald selection as a junior, while garnering honorable mention All-Cleveland accolades as a sophomore. Additionally, she propelled her Cleveland Force Soccer Club to a berth in the 2019 Ohio North State Cup semifinals.

A defender from Butler, Pa., Lineman is a four-year letterwinner from Butler Area Senior High School, where she helped her team to Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) section title en route to advancing to the 4A finals. A three-time All-WPIAL selection, she also earned first-team Big 56 All-Sectional and team Defensive Most Valuable Player accolades. She also led her Northern Steel Club team to a State Cup title in 2017, as well as final four appearances in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

A defender from Cincinnati, Ohio, Oduyoye is a four-year letterwinner from Sycamore High School, where she earned first-team All-City honors as a junior and second-team laurels as a senior. A two-time team captain, she was named her squad’s Most Valuable Player and Defender of the Year as a senior. A four-time Academic All-Conference honoree, she also pulled in Academic All-Southwest and All-Southwest Ohio accolades. Oduyoye helped lead her Cincinnati United Club squad to a State Cup title in 2018 as well a regional title in 2016 and a third-place showing at the national championship tournament.

A midfielder from Oakdale, Pa., Shansky is a four-year letterwinner from West Alleghany High School. She helped guide her squad to sectional title as junior. Twice selected as a team captain, Shansky garnered team Most Valuable Players as a junior and senior, while pulling in All-WPIAL accolades this past season. As a member of the Beadling Soccer Club, she helped her team become the first in club history to win a division title and earn an automatic bid to the United States Youth Soccer (USYS) Nationals with a triumph in the regional finals in 2019.

A forward from Alliance, Ohio, Swisher is a four-year letterwinner from Marlington High School. Named team Offensive Player of the Year during each of her four seasons, Swisher capped her prep career scoring 82 goals and adding 34 assists and was tabbed as her squad’s Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior. A three-time first-team All-Conference honoree, she was also selected as the league’s MVP in each of her final two campaigns. Led the Dukes to a district title in 2018 was a three-time All-Stark County and two-time first-team All-Akron award winner. Also gained valuable playing experience with the Canton United Club team.

2021 Akron Women’s Soccer Signing Class
Caitlin Bruni, Defender, 5-5, Canal Fulton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson
Quinn Casey, Defender, 5-6, Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty
Ella Hadley, Midfielder, 5-5, Concord, Ohio/Lake Catholic
Maci Lineman, Defender, 5-8, Butler, Pa./Butler Area
Maya Oduyoye, Defender, 5-6, Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore
Morgan Shansky, Midfielder, 5-6, Oakdale, Pa./West Alleghany
Calli Swisher, Forward, 5-4, Alliance, Ohio/Marlington